Pleating device

ABSTRACT

This invention provides an improved device for alloting material for pleats and spacing between those pleats in making draperies and the like. Basically, it comprises first and second lazy-tong mechanisms, each having opposite first and second ends. The first mechanism has one of its ends fixed to a base member. Adjustable means are provided for interconnecting the second mechanism to the base member and for variably spacing it apart from the first mechanism. Indicator means are carried by the two mechanisms. These indicator means are adjustably positionable with respect to a sheet of material placed adjacent to the two mechanisms by movement of the adjustable means and of the first mechanism. In the presently preferred form of the present invention, the indicated spacing between the pleats is adjusted by movement of the adjustable means, while the indicated amount of material alloted for gathering into the pleats is adjusted by movement of the first mechanism.

United States Patent Tuskos [451 Oct. 10, 1972 1 PLEATING DEVICE [72] Inventor: Michael E. Tuskos, 2507 Saratoga Drive, Louisville, Ky. 40205 [22] Filed: July 12, 1971 21 App1.No.: 161,534

$21 US. Cl .Q ..33/192 [51] lnt.Cl. ..B43l9/08 [58] FieldofSeai-ch ..33/192 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,145,480 8/1964 Caracoes ..33/l92 3,166,854 1/1965 Packer etal ..33/l92 1,019,139 3/1912 Eberley ..33/192 Primary Examiner-Harry N. Haroian AttorneyHarry B. ODonnell, III

[5 7] ABSTRACT This invention provides an improved device for alloting material for pleats and spacing between those pleats in making draperies and the like. Basically, it comprises first and second lazy-tong mechanisms, each having opposite first and second ends. The first mechanism has one of its ends fixed to a base member. Adjustable means are provided for interconnecting the second mechanism to the base member and for variably spacing it apart from the first mechanism. Indicator means are carried by the two mechanisms. These indicator means are adjustably positionable with respect to a sheet of material placed adjacent to the two mechanisms by movement of the adjustable means and of the first mechanism. In the presently preferred form of the present invention, the indicated spacing between the pleats is adjusted by movement of the adjustable means, while the indicated amount of material alloted for gathering into the pleats is adjusted by movement of the first mechanism.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEnucI 10 m2 3,696,515

snm 1 or 2 I8 INVENTOR. MICHAEL E. TUSKOS HIS ATTORNEY PLEATING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for alloting material for pleats and the spacing between those pleats in making draperies and the like.

In measuring material for pleated draperies and the like there are two primary considerations. First, the spacing of the pleats should be uniform throughout the full width of the drapery. Second, the amount of material that is alloted for gathering into each of the several pleats should be of a uniform amount.

This desirable equalization of material alloted for the pleats and the spaces therebetween can, of course, be achieved by accurate hand measurement. However, such a procedure is tedious and requires a considerable amount of skill and time and consequently vast expense.

In the past, various devices have been provided in an attempt to mechanize the aforementioned manual procedure with an eye towards reduction in labor costs and skill requirements. U. 8. Pat. Nos. 2,998,659- Yaworski; 3,166,854-Packer et al.; and 3,297,215- Soto describe typical examples of such prior-art mechanized devices. While these prior-art devices have provided an advance over the older hand-measured technique, they have been both complex and expensive in construction and maintenance.

The present invention is concerned with providing a pleating device which is improved over these aforenoted prior-art devices in economy and simplicity of construction and ease of operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Basically, the present invention comprises first and second lazy-tong mechanisms, each having opposite first and second ends. The first mechanism has one of its ends fixed to a base member. Adjustable means are provided for interconnecting the second mechanism to the base member and for variably spacing it apart from the first mechanism. Indicator means are carried by the two mechanisms. These indicator means are carried by the two mechanisms. These indicator means are adjustably positionable with respect to a sheet of material placed adjacent to the two mechanisms by movement of the adjustable means and of the first mechanism. In the presently preferred form of the present invention, the indicated spacing between the pleats is adjusted by movement of the adjustable means, while the indicated amount of material alloted for gathering into the pleats is adjusted by movement of the first mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a presently preferred form of an improved pleating device that is provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the upper portion of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a presently preferred form of control circuit that can be employed with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary schematic diagram illustrating in detail the relationship between the two lazy-tong mechanisms employed by the present invention and the space and pleat allotment indications which can be indicated thereby on a sheet of material located adjacent thereto; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a drapery measured by the improved device of the present invention, following stitching together of the material alloted for the pleats.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated a presently preferred form of an improved device 10 that is provided in accordance with the present invention for alloting material for pleats and the space between those pleats in making draperies and the like. While it should be understood that the device 10 could obviously be utilized for other purposes, such as curtain pleating, etc., the description that follows will be confined to drapes for the sake of clarity and brevity.

Basically, the device 10 comprises a pair of generally vertical lazy-tong mechanisms 11 and 12 which are in themselves each basically of a well-known construction, being generally similar to the single lazy-tong mechanism described in detail in U. S. Pat. No. 664,759Joy. A first of these two mechanisms 11 has opposite first 13 and second 14 ends, while the second mechanism 12 has opposite first l5 and second 16 ends.

In accordance with the present invention and as best shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 6, the first mechanism 11 has one of its ends 13 fixed to a generally vertical base member 17, which forms one end of base means 18 and is horizontally spaced apart from another generally vertical base member 19 that forms the opposite end of the base means 18.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the two generally vertical base members 17 and 19 are interconnected by and project upwardly from a generally horizontally arranged table member 20, and have their upper portions interconnected by a generally horizontal upper frame member 21. The base means 18 is located at the waist height of an average operator by platform means 22 including a pair of generally vertical upright standards 23 and 24 which are spaced apart from one another and interconnected at their lower ends by a horizontal member 25 and are reinforced by a pair of diagonally arranged cross struts 26 and 27.

As best shown in FIGS. 1--4 and 6, each of the two lazy-tong mechanisms 11 and 12 comprises a plurality of interlinked equilateral parallelograms, with each of the parallelograms being provided with pivot links at its top 28 and bottom '29 and with other pivot links 30 being provided along the horizontal center lines of each of the two mechanisms 11 and 12. In the illustrated form of the present invention, the first mechanism 11 -(shown in heavy lines in FIG. 6) comprises six pivotally linked parallelograms, while the second mechanism (shown in light lines in FIG. 6) includes only five such pivotally linked parallelograms.

In particular accordance with the present invention, each of the horizontal center line links 30 of the two mechanisms 11 and 12, except the one at the end 13 of the first mechanism 11 which is fixed to the frame member 17, has a generally vertically arranged block 31 mounted to it. Each of these blocks 31 is provided with grooves 32 and 33 at its upper and lower ends which are slidably trapped and guided by a pair of vertically spaced apart upper 34 and lower 35 guide rails that are mounted to and extend generally horizontally between the two vertical end members 17 and 19 of the base means 18.

In further accordance with the present invention, adjustable means 36 are provided for interconnecting the second mechanism 12 to the base member 17 and for visibly spacing it apart from the first mechanism 11. More specifically, these adjustable means 36 comprise a pair of similarly threaded, generally horizontal jack screws 37 and 38 which are rotatably journalled in a bearing block 39 that is connected to and projects forwardly from the base member 17. Preferably, the two jack screws 37 and 38 are aligned with the pivot links 30 along the horizontal center lines of the two lazy-tong mechanisms 11 and 12, with a shorter first one. of the two jack screws 37 being threaded into the block 31 located at one end 15 of the second mechanism 12 and a considerably longer second one of the two jack screws 38 being threaded into the block 31 located at the opposite end 16 of the second mechanism 12. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the two jack screws 37 and 38 are interconnected by a pair of gears 40 and 41 such that the two jack screws 37 and 38 can be operated in tandem by common means such as operatin g wheel 42.

In the illustrated form of the present invention, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the blocks 31 comprise a plurality of indicator members, with each of the blocks 31 carrying a marking means comprising a pen 43. As shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 4, each of the pens 43 is generally vertically arranged within a bore provided in each of the blocks 31 for simultaneously temporary engagement with the upper end of a sheet of material 44 located on the table member 20 by a downward movement of an operating bar 45.

As more specifically shown in FIGS. 1 and 35, the pen-operating bar 45 extends between the two vertical members 17 and 18 and is mounted for reciprocable up and down movement relative to the upper ends of the pens 43 by a pivoted linkage means 46 that includes and is driven by a pair of fluid cylinders 47a and 47b mounted adjacent the opposite ends of the base means 18. As further shown in detail in FIG. 4, the pens 43 are retractable, each being provided with a coiled spring 48 that is trapped between the pen upper end and the upper end of the block 31 such that the pens 43 are biased upwardly away from engagement with the table member 20 by the springs 48.

In particular accordance with the present invention, the pens 43 utilize a marking fluid which is invisible to the naked eye and the marks made by the pens 43 can only be seen when the material marked thereby is viewed under an ultraviolet lamp or black light.

Preferably, as best shown in FIG. 6, the indicated spacing between the pleats S is adjusted by movement of the adjustable means 36, through rotation of the operating wheel 42 -(FIGS. l and 2), and the indicated amount of material alloted for gathering into pleats P is adjusted by movement of the first lazy-tong mechanism 11, by moving it away from or toward the base member 17, as by pulling or pushing it relative thereto by means such as a handle 49 that is connected to it and extends upwardly through an elongate slit (not shown in detail) provided in the upper frame member 21. With this arrangement, the equal amount of the sheet of material 44 that is alloted for each of the several spaces S is determined by the distance s that the pen 43 carried by the block 31 at the first end of the second mechanism 12 is spaced apart from the fixed first end 13 of the first mechanism 11 by operation of the two jack screws 37 and 38. And, the equal amount of the sheet of material 44 that is alloted for each of the several pleats P is determined by the distance p that the pen 43 carried by the block 31 at the second end 14 of the first mechanism 11 is spaced apart from the pen 43 carried by the block 31 at the second end 16 of the second mechanism 12.

As further shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the present invention further includes a retractable gripper means in the form of a third fluid cylinder 50 for engaging one corner of the sheet of material 44 to the table means 20 at the point adjacent to the point of connection of the first end 13 of the first lazy-tong mechanism 11 to the base member 17. As illustrated, the third or gripper cylinder 50 is mounted at the right front end of the base means 18 and contains a piston that has a gripper plate 51 attached to the lower end of its rod which is adapted to engage one corner of the sheet of material 44 to the table means 20 when pressurized fluid is supplied to the top of its piston. As best shown in FIG. 5, the retractable gripper plate 51 is biased upwardly away from engagement with the table means 20 by another coil spring 52 that is trapped between the bottom of its piston and the bottom interior wall of the cylinder 50.

As diagrammatically further shown in FIG. 5, the two drive cylinders 47a and 47b for the pen-operating bar 45 and the gripper means cylinder 50 are preferably all connected to a common source of pressurized fluid 53, such as an air compressor or the like, through conduit means which are located in a common switch box 56 that can be located beneath the platform means 22 (FIG. 1). As specifically shown in FIG. 5, the fluid source 53 is connected to both of the switch valves 54 and 55 by a T-shaped conduit 56.

One of the two foot switch valves 54 is operable between a normal first position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 5) in which it disconnects the fluid source 53 from the third or gripper cylinder 50 and the gripper plate 51 is held retracted from the table means 20 by the spring 52, and a second position {shown in shadow lines in FIG. 5) wherein it connects the fluid source 53 via a conduit 57 to the top of the cylinder 50 .to apply sufficient fluid pressure to the top of the cylinder 50 to apply sufficient fluid pressure to the top of its piston to overcome the resistance of the spring 52 and thus cause the gripper plate 51 to engage the corner of the sheet of material 44 to the table means 20.

The other of the foot switch valves 55 is operable between a normal first position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 5) and a second position (shown in shadow lines in FIG. 5). In the first position, this second foot switch valve 55 connects the fluid source 53 via another'T- shaped conduit 58 to the bottoms of the two pen baroperating cylinders 48a and 47b to apply a sufficient amount of fluid pressure to the bottoms of their pistons to retract the reciprocable bar 45 upwardly and away from the tops of the pens 43. However, when in its second position, this second foot switch valve 55 connects the fluid source 53 via yet another T-shaped conduit 59 to the tops of the two cylinders 47a and 47 b to apply a sufficient amount of fluid pressure to the tops of their two pistons to cause the linkage 46 to move the bar 45 downwardly against the upward force of the pen springs 48 until the bottoms or points of the pens 43 are substantially simultaneously engaged with the sheet of material 44 on the table means 20 to thus make marks M through M thereon which indicate the desired allotment of the sheet of material 44 for the pleats P and the spaces S between the pleats P.

Of course, upon return of the two switch valves 54 and 55 to their first positions (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 5), the gripper plate 51 and the pens 43 will be respectively retracted upwardly out of engagement with the sheet of material 44 by the springs 52 and 48.

To operate the improved pleating device of the present invention, an operator need perform only five simple steps.

First, the operator sets the desired several spacings S that are to be provided between the several pleats P by rotating the operating wheel 42 of the adjustable means 36 to set this same distance s between the fixed first end 13 of the first lazy-tong mechanism 1 1 and the first end of the second lazy-tong mechanism 12. Preferably the device 10 is provided with a scale 60 fastened to the base member 17 and a pointer 61 carried by the block 31 at the first end 15 of the second mechanism 12 to facilitate this setting by the operator.

Second, the operator procures a sheet of material 44 that is to be pleated and fastens its upper right corner to the right front corner of the table means adjacent the point of connection of the first end 13 of the first lazy-tong mechanism 11 to the base member 17 by stepping on the first foot switch valve pedal 54.

Third, the operator moves the handle 49 to align the pen 43 carried by the indicator block 31 at the second end 14 of the first lazy-tong mechanism 11 into alignment with the upper left hand corner edge of the sheet of material 44.

Fourth, the operator applies the marks M M to the material by stepping on the second foot switch valve 55.

Fifth, the operator returns the two foot switch valves 54 and 55 to their first or normal positions, causing all of the pens 43 and the gripper plate 51 to be retracted from engagement with the sheet of material 44.

Subsequently, the marked sheet of material 44 (FIG. 6) can then be taken to a sewing machine (not shown) that is provided with a black light and sewn as indicated by the then visible marks M M, to form the spaced pleated drapery section as shown in FIG. 7. As illustrated, the Marks M and M M and M M and M M and M M and M M and M are respectively sewn together to form six equally sized pleats P. And, the six equal spacings S will be respectively indicated by the distance between: (1) one end of the sheet of material 44 and the mark M (2) marks M and M (3) the marks M, and M (4) the marks M and M (5) the marks M and M and (6) the marks M10 and M.

Assuming, for example, that the pleat spacing distance S desired and set by turning the hand wheel 42 of the adjustable means 36 is 3%-inches and the total width of the sheet of material 44 is 48-inches, the aforenoted operation of the improved device 10 of the present invention will quickly and easily provide a drapery section that is marked for six equally dimensioned pleats P of 47-inches each and six equally dimensioned spaces S of Ella-inches.

Obviously a wide variety of other sizes of material sheets 44, pleat sizes P and pleat spacings S can be employed and provided by following the aforenoted five simple operational steps. Preferably the operator of the improved device 10 of the present invention will be provided with a chart setting forth typical desired pleat space settings s that are to be set by movement of the operating wheel 42 during the first operating step for various assorted widths of material sheets 44, total drapery widths, desired pleat size P and numbers of pleats.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that while there has been described what presently is considered to be a presently preferred embodiment of this invention in accordance with the Patent Statutes, changes may be made in the disclosed apparatus without actually departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications that may not depart from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved device for alloting material for pleats and spacing between said pleats in making draperies and the like, comprising:

a. first and second lazy-tong mechanisms, each having opposite first and second ends;

b. said first mechanism having one of its ends fixed to a base member;

c. adjustable means for interconnecting said second mechanism to said base member and for variably spacing it apart from said first mechanism; and

d. indicator means carried by said mechanisms and being adjustably positionable with respect to a sheet of material placed adjacent to said mechanisms by movement of said adjustable means and of said first mechanism.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the indicated spacing between said pleats isadjusted by movement of said adjustable means and the indicated amount of material alloted for gathering into said pleats is adjusted by movement of said first mechanism.

3. The invention of claim 2, further including marking means carried by said indicator means.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein marks made by said marking means are invisible to the naked eye.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said adjustable means comprises:

a. a first adjustable member for interconnecting one end of said second mechanism to said base member and for variably spacing it apart from said one end of said first mechanism; and

b. a second adjustable member for interconnecting the other end of said second mechanism to said first mechanism and for variably spacing it apart therefrom by substantially the same'distance as said one end of said second mechanism is spaced apart from said one end of said first mechanism by said first adjustable member.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said first and second adjustable members comprise a pair of jack screws mounted on said base member and interconnected to one another such that they can be operated in tandem by a common means.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein said lazy-tong mechanisms are arranged generally vertically for movement relative to table means on which a sheet of material to be alloted into pleats and spaces can be arranged generally horizontally.

8. The invention of claim 7, wherein said indicator means comprises a plurality of indicator members that are arranged generally vertically adjacent the horizontal center lines of said first and second lazy-tong mechanisms.

9. The invention of claim 8, further including:

a. marking means comprising a plurality of generally vertically arranged retractable pens carried by said indicator members; and

b. reciprocable means for simultaneously, temporarily engaging said marking means with said sheet of material located on said table means.

10. The invention of claim 9 further including retractable gripper means for engaging one end of said sheet of material to said table means at a point adjacent to the point of connection of said one end of said first lazy-tong mechanism to said base member. 

1. An improved device for alloting material for pleats and spacing between said pleats in making draperies and the like, comprising: a. first and second lazy-tong mechanisms, each having opposite first and second ends; b. said first mechanism having one of its ends fixed to a base member; c. adjustable means for interconnecting said second mechanism to said base member and for variably spacing it apart from said first mechanism; and d. indicator means carried by said mechanisms and being adjustably positionable with respect to a sheet of material placed adjacent to said mechanisms by movement of said adjustable means and of said first mechanism.
 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the indicated spacing between said pleats is adjusted by movement of said adjustable means and the indicated amount of material alloted for gathering into said pleats is adjusted by movement of said first mechanism.
 3. The invention of claim 2, further including marking means carried by said indicator means.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein marks made by said marking means are invisible to the naked eye.
 5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said adjustable means comprises: a. a first adjustable member for interconnecting one end of said second mechanism to said base member and for variably spacing it apart from said one end of said first mechanism; and b. a second adjustable member for interconnecting the other end of said second mechanism to said first mechanism and for variably spacing it apart therefrom by substantially the same distance as said one end of said second mechanism is spaced apart from said one end of said first mechanism by said first adjustable member.
 6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said first and second adjustable members comprise a pair of jack screws mounted on said base member and interconnected to one another such that they can be operated in tandem by a common means.
 7. The invention of claim 6, wherein said lazy-tong mechanisms are arranged generally vertically for movement relative to table means on which a sheet of material to be alloted into pleats and spaces can be arranged generally horizontally.
 8. The invention of claim 7, wherein said indicator means comprises a plurality of indicator members that are arranged generally vertically adjacent the horizontal center lines of said first and second lazy-tong mechanisms.
 9. The invention of claim 8, further including: a. marking means comprising a plurality of generally vertically arranged retractable pens carried by said indicator members; and b. reciprocable means for simultaneously, temporarily engaging said marking means with said sheet of material located on said table means.
 10. The invention of claim 9 further including retractable gripper means for engaging one end of said sheet of material to said table means at a point adjacent to the point of connection of said one end of said first lazy-tong mechanism to said base member. 